Friday, April 14, 2017

Cueto Subdues Balky Rockies

Johnny Cueto (3-0) became the majors first 3 game winner with yet another solid performance as the Giants took down the Rockies, 8-2. It seems like every time JohnnyC takes the mound the world is our oyster and we can do no wrong. And this feeling of almost complete control and confidence started pretty much the minute he became a Giant. Remember his great start last year? I think Cueto became only the fourth Giant to go 3-0 to start a season twice in a row...did that make sense?

Besides the solid start (7 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 6 k, game score 68), we enjoyed some nifty offense on this opening orange Friday. The top seven hitters all got hits and scored runs, which is rather sweet. Hunter Pence got three hits with 2 RBI's, BCraw went deep and drove in 2. But the best news was a 2 hit night from Chris Marrero, including a swell dinger. That was his first ever major league homer, after something like 140 in the minors! Way to go, Chris! We all hope to see many more in the bigs as a Giant.

Oh yeah, the balks. Did you see them? Did any one? The first one looked like he stepped toward home. But the second one??? You can't really say they were the turning point in a 8-2 loss, so Bud Black looked rather dumb getting tossed. But I can't blame him for being frustrated.

6 comments:

Didn't waste any time writing your blog tonight. The game was very exciting, especially the bottom of the seventh when we scored four runs after two outs. I just wish the guys would figure out how to score when Bumgarner is pitching. But I am becoming a huge Cueto fan, so I am not complaining about the support he gets.

It was 1988-89 when Rick Reuschel last did the 3-0 start thing I tried to mention. Wow, that was a long time ago. I loved Reuschel, the way he looked normal, kinda pudgy, but he played ball with grace and a surprising athleticism. He never seemed to be as joyous as JohnnyC though. But did anyone back then? You sure couldn't let the hair flow like it does currently.

I thought the first one was clearly a balk, and so did Nunez. Second? I don't know. Maybe the ump was looking for that "foot fault" after the first one and had a hair trigger. (Just get rid of the damn balk rule and let pitchers try to fake the hell out of the runners. Be more fun that way. Imagine what JohnnyC could do with that.)

Did you see how upset Cueto was after the runs scored on the back-to-back botched DP chances? Love that guy, he's so entertaining and expressive yet so accomplished and professional. He's at the top of his game, and man it's great to have him.

I think we are in complete agreement about the balk situation, last night and going forward. What always gets me is that everyone acts like it is the first time they have all seen each other. If I was a tricky lefty that pushed the pickoff move, I would sure as shit make sure that all the umps agree with my interpretation. Hell, the manager should warn the umps. And the pitcher acts like he has never heard of a balk before, although with that move he must get called pretty regularly. Like you say, too much rules here. Let them do whatever, just got to be on the rubber. Which actually there is a guy that jumps off it before throwing and I think it is completely illegal, but that's a whole other thing.

I was quite pissed at Joe on the botched DP. It was bad judgement and bad execution. Cueto did give up some hits in that inning but to get TWO bases loaded one out DP ground balls was totally studly. He came very close to giving up no runs at all. The 3-6-1 turn was very slick too. You don't see many of those.

Agreed, I always thought pitchers and/or coaches went over their moves with the umps before the game so as not to raise any eyebrows. Maybe that's just HS shit!

Yes, that was a dandy 3-6-1, once again JohnnyC flashing his ballplayer moves. And BCraw had an exceptional game as well, that rocket arm of his and those laser beams he throws to first, plus opposite field power, wow, what a combo!

God I hope Marrero can find it. He needed a breakout game. I was starting to worry, and I'm usually patient. Maybe it's different, him being older, not some 22-year old, but experience-wise he is just a kid. It's an interesting risk since he doesn't have to be a star, just deliver some league-average offense and an adequate glove.